Empire 8

The Empire 8 is an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division III. The E8 sponsors intercollegiate athletic competition in men's baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, women's field hockey, men's football, men's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, women's softball, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track and field, and women's volleyball. The E8 shares offices with the United Volleyball Conference, a separate Division III league that competes solely in men's volleyball.

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History

The Empire 8 can trace its beginnings back to 1964 with the founding of the Independent College Athletic Conference. At this time, the conference was made up of Alfred University, Clarkson University, Hobart and [William Smith Colleges|Hobart College], Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, St. Lawrence University, and Union College. After Union left the league, Ithaca College and Rochester Institute of Technology joined the ICAC.
In 1991, the ICAC regrouped to become the Empire Athletic Association, with Clarkson leaving and Hartwick College joining to replace the spot. Hobart/William Smith, RPI, and St. Lawrence left in 1993, to be replaced by Elmira College, Nazareth College, and Utica University. Alfred re-joined and St. John Fisher College joined the league in 1998.
The EAA became the Empire 8 Athletic Conference in 1999, hosting 13 sports.
Stevens Institute of Technology joined as a field hockey member beginning in 2006 and became a full member in 2007. RIT announced on June 5, 2009 that it planned to leave the Empire 8 for the Liberty League beginning in the fall of the 2011–12 season. Houghton College also announced that they would join the Empire 8 in the 2012–13 season as they transitioned from a school of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to NCAA Division III status; they became full D-III members in 2016.
The most recent changes to the conference's membership were published in the 2018–19 school year. First, Stevens announced in August 2018 that it would leave the E8 at the end of the 2018–19 school year to rejoin the Middle Atlantic Conferences after an absence of more than 40 years. Stevens joined the MAC's Freedom Conference. In January 2019, the E8 reported that Stevens would eventually be replaced by Keuka College in 2020–21, and in March, The Sage Colleges merged Russell Sage College and Sage College of Albany, effectively making the former women-only Russell Sage co-educational in fall 2020.
On July 15, 2020, the Empire 8 postponed all fall sports, but provided conference championships in those sports in spring 2021. On August 26, 2021, the E8 admitted Medaille for 2022–23, joining from the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.
In 2023, three State University of New York schools will all join the Empire 8, beginning in the 2024–25 academic year: Starting with the State University of New York at Brockport and the State University of New York at Geneseo on August 21; followed by the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute on November 20.

Chronological timeline

1964 – The Empire 8 was founded of the Independent College Athletic Conference. Charter members included Alfred University, Clarkson College of Technology, Hobart College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, St. Lawrence University and Union College, beginning the 1964–65 academic year.
1971:
* Union left the ICAC after the 1970–71 academic year.
* Ithaca College and Rochester Institute of Technology joined the ICAC in the 1971–72 academic year.
1991:
* Alfred and Clarkson left the ICAC after the 1990–91 academic year.
* The ICAC was regrouped to become the Empire Athletic Association, beginning the 1991–92 academic year.
* Hartwick College joined the EAA in the 1991–92 academic year.
1993:
* Hobart & William Smith, Rensselaer Poly and St. Lawrence left the EAA after the 1992–93 academic year.
* Elmira College, Nazareth College and Utica College joined the EAA in the 1993–94 academic year.
1998 – St. John Fisher College joined the EAA in the 1998–99 academic year.
1999 – The EAA was rebranded as the Empire 8 Athletic Conference, hosting 13 sponsored sports, beginning the 1999–2000 academic year.
2004 – Norwich University and Springfield College of Massachusetts joined the Empire 8 as affiliate members for football in the 2004 fall season.
2006 – Stevens Institute of Technology and Washington & Jefferson College joined the Empire 8 as affiliate members for field hockey in the 2006 fall season :
2007 – Stevens upgraded as a full member of the Empire 8 for all sports in the 2007–08 academic year.
2009:
* Norwich left the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for football after the 2008 fall season.
* Moravian University, the University of Scranton and Susquehanna University joined the Empire 8 as affiliate members for men's golf in the 2010 spring season.
2010 – Springfield left the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for football after the 2009 fall season.
2011:
* Rochester Tech left the Empire 8 for the Liberty League after the 2010–11 academic year.
* Frostburg State University and Salisbury University joined the Empire 8 as affiliate members for football in the 2011 fall season.
2012:
* Houghton College joined the Empire 8 in the 2012–13 academic year.
* The State University of New York College at Buffalo joined the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for football in the 2012 fall season.
2014 – The State University of New York at Brockport joined the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for football in the 2014 fall season.
2015:
* Frostburg State and Salisbury left the Empire 8 as affiliate members for football to join the New Jersey Athletic Conference for that sport after the 2014 fall season.
* The State University of New York at Cortland and the State University of New York at Morrisville joined the Empire 8 as affiliate members for football in the 2015 fall season.
2017:
* Moravian, Scranton and Susquehanna left the Empire 8 as affiliate members for men's golf after the 2017 spring season.
* Ithaca left the Empire 8 to join the Liberty League after the 2016–17 academic year.
* Sage College">Sage College of Albany">Sage College and Sage College of Albany joined the Empire 8 in the 2017–18 academic year.
* The State University of New York at Canton and the State University of New York at Oswego joined the Empire 8 as affiliate members for men's golf in the 2018 spring season.
2018 – SUNY Canton left the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for men's golf after the 2018 spring season.
2019:
* Buffalo State left the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for football to join the NJAC after the 2018 fall season.
* Stevens left the Empire 8 to rejoin the Middle Atlantic Conferences after the 2018–19 academic year.
2020:
* Keuka College joined the Empire 8 in the 2020–21 academic year
* The Sage Colleges merged Russell Sage and Sage College of Albany, making the former women-only Russell Sage co-educational, in the 2020–21 academic year.
2022 – Medaille College joined the Empire 8 in the 2022–23 academic year.
2023:
* Medaille left the Empire 8 after the 2022–23 academic year; as the university announced that it would ceased operations one year after joining the conference.
* Washington & Jefferson left the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for field hockey to join the North Coast Athletic Conference for that sport after the 2022 fall season.
2024:
* The State University of New York at Geneseo and the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute joined the Empire 8 in the 2024–25 academic year.
* Nine institutions joined the Empire 8 as affiliate members, all effective in the 2024–25 academic year:
** Hilbert College for football
** SUNY Canton rejoining for men's golf
** and SUNY Oswego, Lesley University, Norwich University, the State University of New York at Delhi, Thomas College, Vermont State University at Johnson and Vermont State University at Lyndon for men's tennis
2025:
* Alfred State College joined the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for football in the 2025 fall season.
* The Empire 8 announced that it entered into a scheduling agreement for non-conference football games with the Liberty League for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. As part of this agreement, Hilbert left the Empire 8 to join the Liberty League as an affiliate member for football after the 2024 season, giving both leagues 8 football-playing members.
2026 – The State University of New York at Oneonta will join the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for men's tennis, beginning the 2027 spring season.

Member schools

Current members

The Empire 8 currently has twelve full members, all but three are private schools:

Institution	Location	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined	Football?
Alfred University	Alfred, New York	1836	Nonsectarian	2,189	Saxons	1964 1998	Yes
Elmira College	Elmira, New York	1855	Nonsectarian	768	Soaring Eagles	1993	No
Hartwick College	Oneonta, New York	1797	Nonsectarian	1,208	Hawks	1991	Yes
Houghton University	Houghton, New York	1883	Wesleyan	927	Highlanders	2012	No
Keuka College	Keuka Park, New York	1890	Baptist	1,535	Wolves	2020	No
Nazareth University	Pittsford, New York	1924	Nonsectarian	2,791	Golden Flyers	1993	No
Russell Sage College	Albany and Troy, New York	1916	Nonsectarian	2,389	Gators	2017	No
	Rochester, New York	1948	Catholic	3,610	Cardinals	1998	Yes
State University of New York at Brockport	Brockport, New York	1867	Public	7,924	Golden Eagles	2024	Yes
State University of New York at Geneseo	Geneseo, New York	1871	Public	4,910	Knights	2024	No
State University of New York Polytechnic Institute	Marcy, New York	1966	Public	2,850	Wildcats	2024	No
Utica University	Utica, New York	1946	Nonsectarian	4,614	Pioneers	1993	Yes

;Notes:

Affiliate members

The Empire 8 currently has eleven affiliate members; all but three are public schools:

Institution	Location	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined	Empire 8 sport	Primary conference
Alfred State College	Alfred, New York	1908	Public	3,500	Pioneers	2025	Football	Allegheny Mountain (AMCC)
Lesley University	Cambridge, Massachusetts	1909	Nonsectarian	6,593	Lynx	2024	Men's tennis	North Atlantic (NAC)
Norwich University	Northfield, Vermont	1819	Private	2,300	Cadets	2024	Men's tennis	Great Northeast (GNAC)
State University of New York at Canton	Canton, New York	1906	Public	3,122	Roos	2024	Men's golf	S.U. New York (SUNYAC)
State University of New York at Cortland	Cortland, New York	1868	Public	6,832	Red Dragons	2015	Football	S.U. New York (SUNYAC)
State University of New York at Delhi	Delhi, New York	1913	Public	3,088	Broncos	2024	Men's tennis	North Atlantic (NAC)
State University of New York at Morrisville	Morrisville, New York	1908	Public	2,486	Mustangs	2015	Football	S.U. New York (SUNYAC)
State University of New York at Oswego	Oswego, New York	1861	Public	7,636	Lakers	2017	Men's golf	S.U. New York (SUNYAC)
State University of New York at Oswego	Oswego, New York	1861	Public	7,636	Lakers	2024	Men's tennis	S.U. New York (SUNYAC)
Thomas College	Waterville, Maine	1894	Nonsectarian	1,949	Terriers	2024	Men's tennis	North Atlantic (NAC)
Vermont State University–Johnson	Johnson, Vermont	1881	Public	1,803	Badgers	2024	Men's tennis	North Atlantic (NAC)
Vermont State University–Lyndon	Lyndon, Vermont	1911	Public	1,519	Hornets	2024	Men's tennis	North Atlantic (NAC)

Notes:

Future affiliate members

The Empire 8 will have one new affiliate member; which is a public school:

Institution	Location	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment	Nickname	Joining	Empire 8 sport	Primary conference
State University of New York at Oneonta	Oneonta, New York	1889	Public	6,543	Red Dragons	2026	Men's tennis	S.U. New York (SUNYAC)

;Notes:

Former members

The Empire 8 had ten former full members, all were private schools:

Institution	Location	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined	Left	Current conference
Clarkson University	Potsdam, New York	1896	Nonsectarian	3,539	Golden Knights	1964	1991	Liberty (LL)
Hobart and William Smith Colleges	Geneva, New York	1822 & 1908	Nonsectarian	2,118	Statesmen & Herons	1964	1993	Liberty (LL)
Ithaca College	Ithaca, New York	1892	Nonsectarian	4,600	Bombers	1971	2017	Liberty (LL)
Medaille College	Buffalo, New York	1937	Nonsectarian	3,925	Mavericks	2022	2023	Closed in 2023
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Troy, New York	1824	Nonsectarian	7,521	Engineers	1964	1993	Liberty (LL)
Rochester Institute of Technology	Henrietta, New York	1829	Nonsectarian	17,652	Tigers	1971	2011	Liberty (LL)
Sage College of Albany	Albany, New York	1949	Nonsectarian	1,600	Gators	2017	2020	N/A
	Canton, New York	1856	Nonsectarian	2,431	Saints	1964	1993	Liberty (LL)
Stevens Institute of Technology	Hoboken, New Jersey	1870	Nonsectarian	5,260	Ducks	2007	2019	MAC Freedom
Union College	Schenectady, New York	1795	Nonsectarian	2,194	Dutchmen & Dutchwomen	1964	1971	Liberty (LL)

;Notes:

Former affiliate members

The Empire 8 had ten former affiliate members, all but four were public schools:

Institution	Location	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined	Left	Empire 8 sport	Primary conference
Buffalo State College	Buffalo, New York	1871	Public	8,339	Bengals	2012	2019	Football	S.U. New York (SUNYAC)
Frostburg State University	Frostburg, Maryland	1898	Public	6,133	Bobcats	2011	2015	Football	Mountain East (MEC)
Hilbert College	Hamburg, New York	1957	Catholic	800	Hawks	2024	2025	Football	Allegheny Mountain (AMCC)
Moravian University	Bethlehem, Pennsylvania	1742	Moravian	2,595	Greyhounds	2009	2017	Men's golf	Landmark
Norwich University	Northfield, Vermont	1819	Private	2,300	Cadets	2004	2009	Football	Great Northeast (GNAC)
Salisbury University	Salisbury, Maryland	1925	Public	8,606	Sea Gulls	2011	2015	Football	Coast to Coast (C2C)
	Scranton, Pennsylvania	1888	Catholic	5,253	Royals	2009	2017	Men's golf	Landmark
Susquehanna University	Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania	1858	Lutheran ELCA	2,315	River Hawks	2009	2017	Men's golf	Landmark
Springfield College	Springfield, Massachusetts	1885	Private	5,062	Pride	2004	2010	Football	New England (NEWMAC)
Washington & Jefferson College	Washington, Pennsylvania	1781	Nonsectarian	1,168	Presidents	2006	2023	Field hockey	Presidents' (PAC)

;Notes:

Membership timeline

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PlotArea = right:5 left:5 bottom:40 top:5
Colors =
id:line value:black
id:bg value:white
id:Full value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in all sports
id:FullxF value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in all sports except for football
id:AssocF value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member for football only
id:AssocOS value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member for another sport only
id:OtherC1 value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that has moved in another conference
id:OtherC2 value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that has moved in another conference when the other color has already been used
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width:15 textcolor:black shift: anchor:from fontsize:s
bar:1 color:FullxF from:1964 till:1991 text:Alfred
bar:1 color:FullxF from:1998 till:1999 text:
bar:1 color:Full from:1999 till:end text:
bar:2 color:FullxF from:1964 till:1991 text:Clarkson
bar:3 color:FullxF from:1964 till:1993 text:Hobart/William Smith
bar:4 color:FullxF from:1964 till:1993 text:RPI
bar:5 color:FullxF from:1964 till:1993 text:St. Lawrence
bar:6 color:FullxF from:1964 till:1971 text:Union (N.Y.)
bar:7 color:FullxF from:1971 till:1999 text:Ithaca
bar:7 color:Full from:1999 till:2017 text:
bar:8 color:FullxF from:1971 till:2011 text:RIT
bar:9 color:FullxF from:1991 till:1999 text:Hartwick
bar:9 color:Full from:1999 till:end text:
bar:10 color:FullxF from:1993 till:end text:Elmira
bar:11 color:FullxF from:1993 till:end text:Nazareth (N.Y.)
bar:12 color:FullxF from:1993 till:1999 text:Utica
bar:12 color:Full from:1999 till:end text:
bar:13 color:FullxF from:1998 till:1999 text:St. John Fisher
bar:13 color:Full from:1999 till:end text:
bar:14 color:AssocF from:2004 till:2009 text:Norwich
bar:15 color:AssocF from:2004 till:2010 text:Springfield (Mass.)
bar:16 color:AssocOS from:2006 till:2007 text:Stevens
bar:16 color:FullxF from:2007 till:2019 text:
bar:17 color:AssocOS from:2006 till:2023 text:Washington & Jefferson
bar:18 color:AssocOS from:2009 till:2017 text:Moravian
bar:19 color:AssocOS from:2009 till:2017 text:Scranton
bar:20 color:AssocOS from:2009 till:2017 text:Susquehanna
bar:21 color:AssocF from:2011 till:2015 text:Frostburg State
bar:22 color:AssocF from:2011 till:2015 text:Salisbury
bar:23 color:FullxF from:2012 till:end text:Houghton
bar:24 color:AssocF from:2012 till:2019 text:Buffalo State
bar:25 color:AssocF from:2014 till:2024 text:SUNY Brockport
bar:25 color:Full from:2024 till:end text:
bar:26 color:AssocF from:2015 till:end text:SUNY Cortland
bar:27 color:AssocF from:2015 till:end text:SUNY Morrisville
bar:28 color:FullxF from:2017 till:end text:Russell Sage
bar:29 color:FullxF from:2017 till:2020 text:Sage
bar:30 color:AssocOS from:2017 till:2018 text:SUNY Canton
bar:30 color:AssocOS from:2024 till:end text:
bar:31 color:AssocOS from:2017 till:end text:SUNY Oswego
bar:32 color:FullxF from:2020 till:end text:Keuka
bar:33 color:FullxF from:2022 till:2023 text:Medaille
bar:34 color:FullxF from:2024 till:end text:SUNY Geneseo
bar:35 color:FullxF from:2024 till:end text:SUNY Poly
bar:36 color:AssocF from:2024 till:2025 text:Hilbert
bar:37 color:AssocF from:2025 till:end text:Alfred State
bar:38 color:AssocOS from:2026 till:end text:SUNY Oneonta
bar:N color:powderblue from:1964 till:1991 text:ICAC
bar:N color:blue from:1991 till:1998 text:EAA
bar:N color:powderblue from:1998 till:end text:Empire 8
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text:^"Empire 8 Athletic Conference membership history"

> If the chart uses more than one bar color, add a legend by selecting the appropriate fields from the following three options Leave a blank line after the end of the timeline, then add a line with the selected values from the list, separated by a space.

Sports

The Empire 8 sponsors intercollegiate athletic competition in the following sports:

Sport	Men's	Women's
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Field hockey
Football
Golf
Ice hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming & Diving
Tennis
Track and field
Track and field
Volleyball
Wrestling